Slot-machine.



I. S. VICKERS.

SLOT MACHINE. I APPLICATION FILED MAY 12. 1916.

I l,261,075@ Patentd Apr. 2,1918.

2 -SHEETS'*SHEET 1.

I if

INVENTOR WITNESSES 1V2 ATTORNEY J. S. VICKERS.

SLOT MACHINE.

APPLICATION man MAYIZ, 191s.-

L26LO75o Patented Apr. 2,1918;

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- INVENTOR ATTORNEY .mivrEs vIcKEEs, or ALEXANDER CITY, ALABAMA.

rectors.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that L'JAiuEs S. VIGKERs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Alexander City, in the county of Tallapoosa and State of Alabama, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Slot-Machines, of which the following is a specificati'on. r

This invention has relation to coin operated mechanism for slot machines or the like, and the nature and objects thereof will be readily understood by those skilled in the art to-which it appertains, in the light of the following explanation of the accompany ing drawings, illustrating what I now believe to be the preferred embodiment or mechanical expression of my invention, from among other forms and arrangements within the spirit thereof and the scope of the appended claims.

However, an object of the invention is to provide a coin operated mechanism which is unactuable by any other than a coin of the proper size and weight for which the mechanism is designed.

Another object of the invention which follows from theforegoing, is to provide means for detecting a spurious coin, or an object resembling a coin in shape or size, and for ejecting said coin or object so as notto in terfere with the operation of the mechanism when a genuine coin is deposited.

Another object of the invention is to provide means operable partly by-the passage of a coin through the mechanism, for start- 11'1,g' the operation of the article dispensing mechanism.

Iniaddition to the foregoing, my invention comprehends improvements in the'details of construction and arrangement of parts, to be hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims. In the accompanying drawings, in which similar and corresponding parts are designated by'the same characters of reference throughout the several views, in whichthey appear p i g Figure 1 is a vertical section through a dispensing'app'aratus illustrating a coin operatingmechanism constructed after the manner of my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical ofFi'gil. a

Fig. 3 is a similar section on the lme 33 ofFig. 1.

Fig. 4

section on the line 2-42 is "a detail section on 'the line 44 Specification of Letters Patent.

SLOT-MACHINE.

Patentedfiipr. 2f, 1%18.

Applioation filed May 12, 1916. Serial No. 97,095.

of Fig. 1 illustrating the operation of the Fig. 5 is a detail view ofthe magnet.

With reference to the drawings, 1'indicates the casing of a dispensing apparatus, provided with a coin chute 2, extending from the outside of the casing at the upper portion thereof, down through the casing and provided with an angular bent portion 3, for the purpose of retarding the coin in its passage therethrough. A horizontal shaft 4:, is mounted in bearings 5 secured to the side wall of the casing and adjacent the lower end of the chute, for supporting a substantially cylindrical roller 6 disposed beneath the end of the coin chute, and in the path of movement of a coin passing therefrom. The roller 6 is provided with a flattened face 7, and a magnet 8 of the horse shoe type. In one position of the roller, that is when the flattened face 7 thereof is in alinement with the chute, a coin may be permitted to drop from the chute across the flattened face, and into continuation of the chute designated 9. The chute 9 is provided with an inclined portion 10 whereby the direction of the coin is translated from a vertical to a substantially horizontal direction. A chute 11, is pivotally mounted upon a bolt or the like 12 adjacent theend 10 of the chute9 and is disposed so as to receive the coin as itemerges from saidend'lO. The free end 13 of the chute 11, is pivotally connected to a vertical link 1%, which in turn is pivotally connected to one end of a lever 15 pivoted at its intermediate portionto the side wall ofthe casing and having at its other end an angular extension 16 which is adapted tobe seated in a notch 17 formed on the periphery of a disk 18. Said disk is cccentrically and piv0tally mounted upon a shaft 19 whichis adapted to actuate the dispensing mechanism not shown. The degree of eccentricity of the disk corresponds to the depth of the notch 17.

A. wedge block 20 is mounted upon a rod 1 presently noted.

ably supported in a guide 25, and the top of the casing. A coil spring 26 encircles the tubular rod 24, and is disposed between the guide 25 and a collar 27 fixed to the tubular member, while a second coil spring 28 encircles the lower portion of the rod 21 and is disposed between the bracket 23, and the lower end of the tubular member 24.

A rack bar 29 is secured to the tubular rod 24 for meshing engagement with a pinion 30 mounted on the shaft 4. A second pinion 31 is likewise mounted on the shaft 4 for lTlBSllll'lg engagement with a vertically movable rack bar 32, guided by a bracket 33, and having a depending cam rod 34. p

A longitudinal opening 35 is formed in the bottom of the chute 11, and the longitudinal extent thereof isnormally restricted by means of a sliding plate 36 mounted upon the chute, and having longitudinal opening 37 adapted to register with the opening 35, when said plate is moved out of normal position. A second opening 38 is formed in the plate 36, and is adapted to receive the lower end of the rod 34. Said rod is provided with a lowermost enlargement or cam portion 39 which engages one edge of the opening 38 to retain the plate 36 in the position heretofore described as normal, while a second cam portion 40 is formed on the rod 34 at the side opposite that having the enlargement 39, and is adapted when said rod 34 is moved downward to engage the plate 36 and move the same into operating position, and bring the opening 37 therein in registration with the opening 35 of the chute. The wedge block 20, is provided at its lower edge with a longitudinal recess wherein the coin is received during its passage, the coin obviously being disposed in a vert1cal plane and adapted to roll upon its edge. A pair of light spring members 41 and 42 are secured at one of their ends to the block 20 within the mentioned recess, the spring member 41 being disposed directly above the opening 35 of the chute 11. The spring member 41 should be weaker in tension than the member 42 for a purpose to be p A bracket 43 is secured to the casing adjacent the upper portion of the chute 9, and directly beneath the roller 6, and is provided with a vertically extending spring lip 44 which is disposed between the arms of the magnet 8 at one position of the roller 6. The side of the casing opposite the face of the roller 6, is provided with an opening 45, and a downwardly inclined chute 46 in communication with the interior of the casing and the exterior thereof.

If the coin controlled mechanism is to be operatedby a coin of the five cent denomination, and assuming such to be the case, the operation is as follows:

The 'coin is inserted 1n the slot at the upper portion of the chute 2, and falls by gravity, passing the roller 6, the fiat face of which should be in the plane of the chute as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4. The coin is then'received in the continuation 9 of the chute and directed into the pivoted chute 11. The coin is first engaged by the spring member 41 which is secured to the block 20,'and if the coin is genuine, it will have acquired sutlicient momentum to overcome the tension of said spring member and pass on until it engages the spring member 42. The tension of this spring member is calculated to retard and hold the coin in position bethrough the medium of the link 14, where-' upon the extension 16 of the lever 15 is disengaged from the notch 17 of the disk 18. The disk 18 being released the dispensing mechanism connected therewith is permitted to operate. It is not thought necessary to illustrate any particular form of dispensing mechanism as many arrangements are well known in the art. The handle 24 is released, permitting the tubular rod and block 20 to be raised by the springs 26 and 28..

During the rotation of the disk 18, the portion thereof opposite the notch 17 engages the angular extension 16 of the lever 15 whereby said lever is rocked and the chute 11 slightly depressed in an obvious manner. The slight downward movement of the chute 11 is suiiicient to permit the release of the coin, and it is deposited in a coin receptacle (not shown) placed therebeneath.

In the event that an object corresponding in shape and size to the coin for which the mechanism is designed, is deposited in the chute, its passage therethrough is the same as described above until its arrival at the chute 11. if the object is lighter in weight than the genuine'coin, for instance if made of wood, aluminium, or the like, the object will be retarded and held by the spring member 41, whose tension is suliicient for that purpose. The object will now be disposed directly over the opening 35 of the chute 11, but cannot pass through owing to its extent being limited by the position of the plate 36 beneath said opening. If the rack bar 29 and the inionBO, and the rod 34 is moved downwar ly through the medium of the pinion 81 and rack 32. During the downward movement of the rod 84, the cam portion 40 thereon engages the plate 36 thereby sliding the same into a position wherein the openings and 37 are in registration. The downward movement of the block 20 then forces the object through said openings and as the chute 11 is not affected, an actuation of the dispensing mechanism cannot take place. In the event that the object is greater in weight than the genuine coin, the momentum acquired during its passage through thechute will be sufficient to overcome the tension of both of the spring members t1 and 42, and the object will drop from the chute .11 into the bottom of the casing. It is obvious that if a coin is not disposed between the wedge block 20 and the chute 11, a downward movement of said block 20 under the influence of the handle 24, cannot result in the actuation of the dispensing mechanism, or a movement of said chute.

In the event that a discous object of iron or steel is deposited in the chute, at the moment of its arrival at the roller 6, the object will be attracted by the magnet 8, and held against the flattened face 7 of the roller. It the handle 24 is now depressed, the roller will be rotated in the direction of the arrow (see Fig. 4) and the edge of the object engaged by the lip 44:. Further rotative movement of the roller entirely disengages the object from the magnet, and

. said object is permitted to fall to one side of the continuation 9 of the'chute, and to the bottom of the casing. The chute 0bviously cannot receive a coin, or object larger than a coin of the required denomination, but a smaller coin may be inserted in an attempt to actuate the mechanism. In the event thata small coin or object is inserted, its momentum is first retarded by means of the lateral extension 3 of the chute 2, before the object arrives adjacent the roller 6. It the handle24 is depressed before the arrival of the coin or object at said roller, the roller will be rotated to the posi tion shown-in Fig. 4, and the coin or object will be deflected by its engagement with the rounded periphery of the roller, and into the opening 45, which is of a size to receive the coin or object, but is not large enough to permit the passage therethrough of a coin of the required denomination. If the small coin or object effects a passage through the chute 2 and its continuation 9, upon its arrival at the chute 11, it may pass therethrough without becoming engaged by either of the spring members 41 or 42. Thus it will be seen that the mechanism is proof against fraudulent operation, and cannot be actuated by any object or coin except a coin of the denomination for which the mechanism is designed.

the correlated parts without departing from the spirit of the invention, or the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A coin controlled mechanism including a casing, a stationary coin chute therein adapted to direct the coin in a downwardly inclined direction and in a vertical plane, a. downwardly inclined pivoted chute in alinement with the stationary chute, an opening provided in said chute, means for normally closing the opening, a block disposed above the pivoted chute adapted to retain a coin between the block and the pivoted chute, means on the block for retaining an underweight coin or object in the chute directly over the openin therein, means for moving the block ownward whereby the pivoted chute may be moved if a genuine coin is in place, and means for opening the opening therein to permit the exit of an underweight object.

2. A coin controlled mechanism including a casing, a stationary coin chute therein, a roller mounted for rotation with its periphery within the chute and in the path of movement of a coin and having a flattened face which when in alinement with the chute permits the passage of the coin by said face, an opening provided in the chute above the roller, and means for rotating the roller whereby an undersized coin or object when deposited in the chute may be deflected by engagement with the periphcry of the roller and ejected through the opening of the chute.

3. A coin controlled mechanism including a casing, a stationary coin chute therein, a roller mounted for rotation with its periphery within the chute and in the path of movement of a coin and havin a flattened face which when in alinement with the chute permits the passage of the coin by said face, a magnet mounted u on the roller and having its poles directec into the chute whereby an iron or steel object if deposited in the chute is attracted by said magnet and held against the flattened face of the roller, means for rotating the roller, and means for engaging the object when said roller is rotated to disengage said object and permit it to fall beyond the chute.

4. A coin controlled mechanism including a casing, a stationary coin chute therein, a

downwardly inclined pivoted chute in alinement with the stationary chute, a block mounted for vertical movement over the stationary chute, a rod secured at its lower end to the block, a guide for the rod, a tubular rod inclosing the first mentioned rod, a barn dle at the upper end of the tubular rod and extended outside of the casing, the upper end of the tubular rod being vertically spaced from the upper end of the first mentioned rod to provide lost motion, whereby the block may be depressed when the tubular rod i depressed to engage a coin disposed in the pivoted chute, whereby the pivoted chute is also depressed, and means for returning the block and tubular rod to their former positions.

5. A coin controlled mechanism including a casing, a stationary chute therein, a downwardly inclined pivoted chute in alinement with the stationary chute, a block mounted for vertical movement over the stationary chute, a rod secured at its lower end to the block and guided for vertical movement, a

shaft, a disk eccentrically mounted for rotation upon said shaft, a notch provided in the periphery of the disk and at a point thereon nearest to the shaft, a lever pivoted to the casing at an intermediate point and having an angular extension at one end adapted to engage the notch, a link connecting the other end of said lever to the pivoted chute whereby when a coin is disposed between the block and the chute and said block depressed through the medium of the rod, the chute is depressed, rocking the lever upon its fulcrum thereby disengaging the extension from the notch and permitting the disk to rotate, the chute being further depressed by engagement of the extension with the periphery of the disk opposite the notch, and the coin released and permitted to fall from the chute. a

6. A coin controlled mechanism including a casing, a stationary coin chute, a movable coin chute in alinement with the stationary chute, a shaft journaled in the casing, a roller having a flattened face, mounted on the shaft and having its periphery disposed in the stationary chute, pinions mounted on the shaft, a vertically movable rod guided in the casing,a rack bar on the rod engaging one of the pinions, a block on the lower end of the rod and disposed above the movable chute to retain a coin between said block and chute, an opening provided in the movable chute, a slidable plate mounted in the chuteand adapted to normally close the opening therein, an opening provided in the plate, a vertically movable bar having rack teeth engaging the second pinion, said bar being engageable in the opening of the plate and having cam faces adapted to move said plate when the bar is raised or lowered.

7. A coin controlled mechanism including a casing, a stationary coin chute, a downwardly inclined movable coin chute in alinement with the stationary chute, a vertically movable block having a lower inclined face disposed parallel to the movable chute and having a longitudinal recess in said lower face, light spring members having one of their ends secured within the recess and extending downward, said spring members be ing located one adjacent each end of the block, and the member at the lower end being of a slightly greater tension than the other, an opening formed in the movable chute at a point beneath the lighter spring member, means for moving the block down ward whereby the movable chute may be depressed when a genuine coin is disposed in the chute and held by the heavier spring member, a plate normally closing the opening in the movable chute, and means for moving the plate to uncover said opening when the block is depressed to permit an under-weighted object which has been retained by the lighter spring member to be ejected through the opening of the chute, said means being adapted to return the plate to former position when the block is raised.

In testimony whereof I affiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES S. VICKERS. Witnesses:

G. M. SoRRELL, JAcoB A. WALKER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

